SIKESTON—The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking public input regarding plans to construct a pedestrian shared-use path and extend the Route M box culvert over Mill Dam Creek in Iron County to accommodate the proposed pedestrian shared-use path. Improvements would impact a portion of Shepard Mountain Lake Park in Ironton, Missouri.
The pedestrian shared-use path will begin at Shepherd Mountain Lake Road and extend approximately 900 feet along the north side of Route M, ending at the east park entrance.
Acquisition of new right-of-way and easements will be required for this project.
Section 4(f)
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 USC 303), hereinafter referred to as "Section 4(f),” protects publicly owned parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, waterfowl refuges, and significant historic resources. Below is the Section 4(f) property identified by MoDOT. If you are aware of any other potential Section 4(f) resources, please comment on them as per instructed below.
Ironton’s Shepherd Mountain Lake Park: The proposed project will require approximately 0.21 acres of new right of way from the City of Ironton’s Shepherd Mountain Lake Park. Park access will remain open throughout construction. However, the east park entrance along Route M will be temporarily closed to allow construction of a new pedestrian shared-use path. During this time, the west entrance to the park (located along Route M) will remain open for public use. The Shepard Mountain trailhead on Shepherd Mountain Road will remain open for public use at all times throughout the project.
Tentatively, the project is expected to be let in February 2027, with construction beginning as early as spring 2027. Construction is expected to be underway for approximately three months. During this time, Route M will be reduced to one lane with temporary traffic signals in place to guide one-way traffic through the work zone.
Anyone wishing to comment on the project or de minimis impact to Shepherd Mountain Lake Park may do so by Friday, May 1, 2026 in the following ways:
- Online: www.modot.org/form/routemiron
- Phone: Project Manager Chris Crocker at (573) 380-1658
- Mail (postmarked by May 1, 2026):
Missouri Department of Transportation
Attn: Chris Crocker (Route M Mill Dam Creek)
2675 North Main Street
Sikeston, MO 63801
- Facebook: facebook.com/MoDOTSoutheast
- X (formerly Twitter): X.com/MoDOTSoutheast
We are committed to providing equal access for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact MoDOT Project Manager Chris Crocker at (573) 380-1658 or MoDOT’s Customer Service at 1-888-ASK MODOT (275-6636) by Monday, April 27, 2026.
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